Top Gear Australia already in trouble after two episodes
So we've downloaded the first two episodes of Top Gear Australia, and our assessment of the series so far seems to be right in line with how Aussie nationals are receiving their own home brew version of the wildly popular Brit-based car show. Viewership for the first episode that aired September 29th was estimated to be around 925,000 blokes, and while producers were hoping to crack the 1 million mark with episode two, viewership for the show last Sunday actually fell to 674,000. For those averse to bittorrenting, we can tell you that while episode two was a big improvement over the series premier, it was still very awkward to watch these Australian impersonators of Jezza, Hampster and Captain Slow recite their poorly written scripts for an audience that didn't know when to laugh.
Episode two does have a segment comparing the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, but while you would think that match up is important enough to devote a 13-part mini-series to, Top Gear Australia's coverage is no longer than a quick bathroom break and not very insightful. In fact, after drag racing and brake testing both cars side-by-side, for some reason they decide to lap the track with just the Falcon and never hands either of them over to the Stig.
Speaking of which, while a Stig is a Stig is a Stig when they're all wearing white suits, the Top Gear Australia test track on which the great one drives is a poor substitute for the original. It's got too many long straights and not enough turns, and the show's camera placement that should show off how a car moves is not flattering at all.
We give the show a C so far and will continue watching (err, downloading) to see if it gets better. We hope it does, otherwise we won't have much to look forward to when our own Top Gear USA airs.
[Source: AdAge via Jalopnik]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
easyrider425 5:21PM (10/07/2008)
I think you guys it the nail on the head, the show seems... awkward. Maybe in time the shows will get better, but it remains sub par to the original. And on the first show they spent so much time on rav4's and sharks, yet they had a GT-R available for a test lap and showed it for a matter of seconds.
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vkchu 3:27PM (10/08/2008)
anybody recall how the first top gear was in comparison to top gear australia? i remember they had the big (fat) dude for a little bit before he was replaced by may, but i cant recall if the first few eps of top gear (uk) were as painful as the aussie version...
JAZ 5:24PM (10/07/2008)
You just can't top the UK version of Top Gear.
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AkulaX1 6:05PM (10/07/2008)
It's not going to be good as the original because all they do is copy it 1:1 when what they should have done is creative their own character set and their placing and the rest. A copy is only a copy and 2nd best when it comes to everything. Why would anyone want to copy that idiot Clarkson anyway? or that idiot Hammond or that idiot may.
mole 2:27AM (10/08/2008)
Top Gear is not Top Gear if it is done by Clarkson, Hammond, or May. Unless on retires and there's a transition, then I don't think it will work. You don't just copy a set of characters, and use some cheap substitutes - the track on TG was purpose built and designed by Lotus.. what about the Australian one? They should have just created their very own kind of motoring show. You don't need different stigs around the world.
hatchbacks are cool 5:28PM (10/07/2008)
I have read some compants about Top Gear australia aparantly its the persenters i have not watch it.
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Adam 5:31PM (10/07/2008)
The show would be great if they got rid of Charlie (the older blonde one), and told the other two to loosen the hell up. The formula is good (though you're right, why didn't the Stig drive the HSV & FPV in Episode 2??), but Charlie drags it down to a level that will see it killied off.
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Mulad 5:35PM (10/07/2008)
Regardless, I was very amused seeing the Stig behind the wheel of that Caterpillar 793C ;-)
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Mobius_1 6:59PM (10/07/2008)
And that stretch Hummer, but when the three of them get together, they don't nearly mess up enough, or fall over enough, or catch fire enough...
Eddie 5:39PM (10/07/2008)
I think the problem is the hosts. The main guy does a fine job. The other two need to go.
Unfortunately, with the Australian version doing poorly, I bet the US one will never air.
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CP 5:54PM (10/07/2008)
I love TG and was originally thinking the more TG the better. But now after watching the Australian version I think the franchise is tainted. TG Australia is painful to watch. I HATE the hosts!
Australia and America should fund the British show and have them shoot more episodes in all three countries.
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Guy Barwood 6:03PM (10/07/2008)
I agree as well. As an aussie, I havn't even bothered to watch the PVR of the second ep yet, the first was boring. So much for the production company claiming they new what they were doing. I havn't spoken to anyone yet who really liked it and sorry mate, but Charlie, your no good for the show. Bring in Mic Maloy and let him rip his best...
I also suggest the production company actualy take the time to watch the real thing and compare to the quality of the production to their own, huge difference. Its like they hear about it from a friend of a friend.
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RLQ 6:10PM (10/07/2008)
This doesn't sound good for the U.S. version. Hopefully it would be better though.
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bob 6:08PM (10/07/2008)
I watched a clip from the first episode and the dialogue seemed forced, particularly during the car review segments. The guy was clearly reading the description and opinion off a piece of paper. It was as if Jeremy Clarkson wrote the dialogue and this guy was standing there with his specs on, reading it. No natural inflection or emotion was present in his voice.
Then on top of that, when they flung several cars around their test track, it was clear the camera angles were not well thought out. There were no useful shots showing a car approaching a turn and going through it so you could see if it had much body roll, or how well it hit the apex. It was primarily a bunch of close-up shots of the car or their Stig. Nothing really worthwhile.
So no, I'm not surprised it's in trouble. It was boring, uninspired, and the chatter amongst the hosts was drab as well.
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Ray 7:03PM (10/07/2008)
its australia, the country that brought to the world Yahoo Serious (Young Einstein) and Vegemite. Their fixed up cars are chromed with horrible air brush graphics, what else would you expect?
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Berto 6:47PM (10/07/2008)
Australian Top Gear should be just that; Australian Top Gear and not an attempt at the original.
These guys should not think about the bar Jezza, Hampster and Captain Slow have set and just be themselves. If they do that, they might just build a genuine chemistry and be successful hosts. Until then...
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Noz 6:50PM (10/07/2008)
You guys do realize that the first episodes of Top Gear were absolutely crap too right? And when I mean crap, I mean CRAP.
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Stumpy 9:19AM (10/08/2008)
I agree 100%. But that original show broke new ground. The Aussie show should not been made to copy that. It should have been original.
I am sure the copy will get better, but people might not care by then.
Noz 1:45PM (10/09/2008)
Yeah true...
US-TG Fan 6:59PM (10/07/2008)
It's still too early to make claims on the fate of the show. I've seen every episode of Top Gear, but I started with season 4 or 5 first. When you go back and watch series 1 now, you can see it was pretty awkward back then too. If you forgot how much it sucked, look back at the used car buying tips from the chubby bloke.
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